# The Future of Space Stations After the ISS: What's Next?
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Chapter 1: The End of an Era
The International Space Station (ISS), which has been operational since its completion in 2011, is approaching the end of its service life. With its retirement looming, questions arise regarding the future of space stations and their roles in ongoing exploration. The ISS has been a unique platform for microgravity research, hosting astronauts from 19 nations and contributing significantly to scientific advancements.
The current agreements governing the ISS, particularly those between NASA and its international partners, are set to expire around 2024. However, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson recently advocated for extending the ISS's mission until 2030. He stated, “We anticipate extending the space station as a governmental project until 2030, with hopes that commercial stations will follow.”
Despite Nelson's support for a mission extension, U.S. Congress has yet to allocate funding beyond 2024, and any extension will require the consent of Canada, Russia, Europe, and Japan. Meanwhile, leaders from the European Space Agency and the German space agency have expressed strong support for prolonging the ISS's mission.
Section 1.1: A Shift Toward Commercial Space Stations
The future landscape of space stations may increasingly involve private enterprises as access to space becomes more prevalent for non-governmental organizations. One notable company, Axiom Space, aims to enhance the existing ISS while constructing its own orbiting facility. Their innovative modules promise panoramic views of the cosmos and Earth below.
According to Axiom, “Once fully assembled, Axiom Station will nearly double the usable volume of the International Space Station.” Similarly, Sierra Space is developing its own long-term habitat for low-Earth orbit, utilizing technologies such as the Dream Chaser spaceplane and expandable LIFE habitats.
Section 1.2: International Collaboration and Competition
Countries like China are making significant investments in space exploration to advance scientific knowledge and address global challenges. On June 16, China successfully launched the first module of its space station, Tiangong, and plans to introduce a Hubble-class space telescope to complement its orbiting laboratory.
During discussions, Nelson urged for cooperative efforts with China in developing future space stations, while acknowledging the competitive nature of the current space race. Additionally, China and Russia have committed to collaborating on a lunar base and have invited European nations to participate. In the U.S., NASA continues to pursue its Artemis program, aiming to return to the Moon by 2024.
Chapter 2: The Challenges Ahead
As the ISS gradually loses altitude, it requires continual adjustments to maintain its orbit. Much of the fuel for these maneuvers comes from resupply missions launched from Earth. Furthermore, the ISS faces constant threats from micrometeorites and space debris, increasing the risk of catastrophic damage over time.
An uncontrolled re-entry of the ISS could pose hazards to those on the ground, making a planned descent over the sparsely populated South Pacific the safest option. The ISS, nearly 100 meters in length and weighing 420,000 kilograms, is a substantial structure, comparable in size to a six-story building.
When the time comes to decommission the ISS, thrusters, likely from Russian Progress spacecraft, will guide it to a controlled re-entry over the southern Pacific. Until then, catch a glimpse of the ISS as it orbits Earth—there are various apps available to help locate its path across the sky.
James Maynard, the founder of The Cosmic Companion, resides in Tucson, Arizona, with his wife, Nicole, and their cat, Max.
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